Marie Claire turns one, spotlight on crimes against women

Mumbai, June 2 (UNI) The Indian edition of fashion and lifestyle magazine for women Marie Claire turned one last evening, with the spotlight on sexual harassment at workplace, crimes against women and children, domestic violence, dowry and female foeticide.

On the occasion, Marie Claire announced launch of a forum called 'what women want'. The forum highlights the five top most concerns that Indian women face today. Voted by the readers of Marie Claire, the five selected issues are sexual harassment at workplace, crimes against women and children, domestic violence, dowry and female foeticide.

Each of the concerns are represented by Brand Ambassadors Dr Kiran Bedi, Sarika, Khushboo, Dr Kavery Nambissan and Feroze Gujral who will further take these causes through the magazine. The readers will further nominate women and men who work for these causes.Later in the year, role models selected will be felicitated as Marie Claire 'Person of the Year.' The event also focussed on the introduction of the Haseena Hussain Relief fund. Marie Claire Editor Shefali Vasudev said, ''The story of Hasina Hussain was published in Marie Claire in December 2006. She was 20 when her former employer drenched her in acid for rejecting his advances. A Marie Claire initiative, the fund is a derivative of the previous year's campaign on moral policing. The money collected would be donated for Haseena's surgeries for multiple burns.'' The money was raised through sale of special Marie Claire T Shirts, designed by designer Wendell Roderick, dresses by other designers and paintings by Girija Mirchandani and Shamita Basu.

The Indian edition of the international title launched last year in June by the Outlook group, was founded in Paris in 1937 and has 26 editions in 13 languages worldwide.

Suresh Selvaraj, Associate Publisher of Marie Claire India said, ''Marie Claire has firmly established in the media map within a year. While the entire industry talks about a slowdown or decline in magazine readership, such success stories will be a boost to the magazine world. With a circulation of 60,000 copies, Marie Claire has carved a niche amongst the fashion and lifestyle magazines in the country.'' The anniversary celebrations revolved around the magazine's success story in the past one year. The glitzy evening was attended by an eclectic mix of socialites and other renowned names from the fashion and beauty industry.

UNI